Have you ever watched a cat
play with a ball of yarn
and get all tangled up

immobilized until you
get scissors to cut the string
so it can run off and hide?

Have you ever seen a child
use some tape
that sticks to his fingers

and tangles in his clothes
with yards of cellophane wasted
all because he wanted to wrap

a gift for your birthday?
You can’t get mad at him
but must praise him instead.

Have you ever made a mistake
you wished you could change
because at the moment

you spoke words, made decisions
or took actions and you
couldn't turn back the clock.

You had to face the consequences
and ask forgiveness
but wonder if he ever did.